The Kogi State Government has signed a bilateral trade and industrial development agreement with the Government of Kuwait as part of efforts to attract investment and unlock the state’s development potential.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State led a high-level delegation to Kuwait, where the agreement was signed.
It covers key sectors, including water resources development, energy, education, agriculture, mineral resources and industrial development.
The visit is also aimed at securing affordable development financing, technical expertise and strategic partnerships to support the implementation of the Kogi State Development Plan 2024–2056.
The agreement is expected to strengthen economic cooperation between Kogi State and Kuwait and support investment in priority sectors of the state’s economy.
According to Kogi State government, “the mission has opened a new development partnership between Kogi State and key Kuwaiti institutions, with technical teams now expected to move from high-level engagements to the preparation of priority projects for implementation.”
At the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his delegation met the Acting Director-General, Mr Rashaid A. Al-Bader, and senior officials of the Fund to discuss Kogi State’s development priorities and areas for international cooperation.
Governor Ododo said; “the state was seeking a long-term development partnership to harness its natural and human resources for sustainable economic growth.”
He highlighted Kogi’s strategic location, water resources, agricultural potential, solid minerals and emerging energy opportunities, saying “investment in these areas could support job creation, food security, industrialisation and improved living standards.”
The Kuwait Fund expressed readiness, in principle, to work with Kogi State on priority development projects, subject to the required technical, financial and institutional appraisal processes.
The proposed areas of cooperation include water infrastructure, irrigation and agricultural development, power and renewable energy, solid minerals and beneficiation, agro-industrial development, transport, communications and information and communications technology, education and healthcare.
The cooperation could also cover project preparation, feasibility studies, engineering designs, technical assistance, institutional capacity development, and environmental and social assessments.
Governor Ododo said “improved water infrastructure and irrigation would strengthen agriculture and support all-season farming, while reliable energy would promote agro-processing and industrialisation.”
He said that mineral beneficiation would enable the state to derive greater value from its natural resources.
The delegation also held discussions with Kuwait University on possible collaboration in education, research, innovation, engineering, agriculture, water resources management and technology.
At the university, Ododo met its President, Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem, with both sides exploring opportunities for knowledge exchange, research collaboration and capacity development between Kuwait University and tertiary institutions in Kogi State.
The delegation also met the Governor of Al Ahmadi Governorate, Sheikh Humoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, to discuss possible cooperation in infrastructure, investment, industry and development.
In another engagement, the delegation met Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Dr Subaih Abdulaziz Al-Mukhaizeem, to discuss water infrastructure, irrigation, renewable energy, power development and technical cooperation.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said “the mission also opened discussions on commerce, investment, industrial cooperation and value addition, with the state seeking stronger economic links between Kogi and Kuwaiti businesses and institutions.”
He said; “a technical process would follow the engagements, including project documentation, feasibility studies and other assessments required to develop the proposed projects.”
Members of the delegation included the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, FCA; Commissioner for Works, Momoh Ozigi Deedat; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah; Commissioner for Water Resources, Farouk Danlami; State Auditor-General, Yakubu Yusuf Okala; and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Nda Salami.
Govenor Ododo expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Nigerian Government’s diplomatic support and enabling environment for subnational governments to engage international development and investment partners.
He also commended the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait, led by Ambassador Abubakar Sanusi Aliyu, for facilitating and supporting the engagements.
The Governor said; “the discussions would now move to detailed technical work towards developing partnerships in water, agriculture, energy, education and research, solid minerals, commerce and industrial development.”
